Data Storage Energy Hogs Could Mean Higher Electric Bills for PNW, New Bill Broadens Definition of Gang Member: SeattleIAM

This is a selection of recent popular blog articles from SeattleIAM where you will find the best blogs from Seattle, Washington as well as video uploads, social networking, rumors, and blog authoring

Massive Data Storage Facilities Cause Energy Spikes in Pacific Northwest

John Cook’s Venture Blog takes a look at what kind of the affect “the massive Google data center on the banks of the Columbia River in The Dalles, Oregon -- along with Yahoo and Microsoft's new server farms upriver” will have on the Pacific Northwest. According to the post, “by 2011, the Google facility in The Dalles could consume 103 Megawatts,” which is “enough to power 82,000 homes or a city the size of Tacoma.” Few jobs, however, will be created at this facility.

A Wall Street commodities researcher recently “noticed some unusual spikes in electricity usage in the Pacific Northwest that don't match with historical trends.” Many of the spikes occurred at “off peak hours and during periods of normal temperatures.” The researcher was trying to figure out whether the data centers were causing the spikes. “With Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Ask.com and others chasing cheap hydroelectric power rates in the Pacific Northwest,” this is an issue that needs examining, especially since Microsoft and Yahoo “are lobbying Washington state officials for tax breaks related to the new data centers.” We need to find out if these energy hogs “will drive up electricity prices for the residents of the Pacific Northwest, while employing only a handful of people here.”

Is New “Tough on Crime” Bill Just More of the Same?

A recent post from Josh Feit at Slog takes a look at a new “tough-on-crime” bill co-sponsored by Seattle House Democrat Mary Lou Dickerson. The bill “broadens the definition of ‘gang member’ and increases the punishments for crimes that are then considered gang related.” Activists who are concerned about the “unfair treatment of African Americans by law enforcement” are not happy about the bill, “which also puts $2 million into a grant program to help fight gang activity.”

Feit writes in his post that granting money to create programs to address gangs “could be really beneficial if applied in ways that empower youth at risk and their families.” However, he doesn’t see the resources being used in any innovative ways. The bill would add more money “to the police force to handle the increased arrests that will be made due to the broader definition of what is a criminal/gang member.” This means placing “tougher and stricter penalties and sentences on people convicted of a crime that have been labeled as gang members.” They also plan to create a state and national database “to give criminal justices agencies… access to information gathered on each and every person suspected of being related to a gang.” A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27.

Nordstrom Executives Get Six-Figure Bonuses Despite Declining Sales

Marce Edwards reports on Biz Buzz that the 107-year-old Seattle-based department store chain Nordstrom Inc. recently “approved $1.46 million in bonuses for its executives.” Ironically, this comes “two weeks after the retailer reported a second month of sales declines.” According to the press, “President Blake Nordstrom will receive a $377,860 bonus and executive vice presidents Peter and Erik Nordstrom will be paid $350,870 each.”

Nordstrom reported earlier that sales at stores that were at least a year old “sank 6.6 percent in January” as discounts failed to lure consumers concerned about losing their jobs. Stock for Nordstrom fell 1.2 percent this morning and “shares declined 4 percent this year through yesterday,” writes Edwards in her post.

Sonics’ Robert Swift Injures Knee Once Again

Gary Washburn at Seattle Sonics Blog reviews the Sonic’s loss to the Blazers last night (92-88). “The Sonics played hard for the entire night,” writes Washburn in his post, “and didn't fold even when the Blazers went up 14 points in the second half.” Seattle was shorthanded, however, and “didn't make the little plays” it takes to win games. The Sonics also “missed 11 free throws, including four by Jeff Green who needs to improve his 68 percent clip.” Portland also beat Seattle to the loose balls off the rebounds and Seattle “didn't go to the hoop strong enough.” The story stays the same, the Sonics have got to become “a tougher team and have to learn how to finish.”

Robert Swift had to leave the game after spraining his right knee “and it could be awhile before he returns to the court.” Who knows if we’ll ever get to see what Robert Swift “could have been,” since he can't seem to play two or three games without hurting his knee again. Full details will come after his examination today. “It's a shame that the kid can't seem to stay healthy.”

About SeattleIAM



SeattleIAM is part of a groundbreaking network of city-focused blog aggregation, user generated media and social networking websites currently rolling out across North America. Each IAM website filters and organizes blog content as well as offering video upload capabilities, social networking, blog authoring, favourites lists and rumours. The IAM Network is a division of SoMedia Networks Inc which also operates Inveslogic.com, Greenedia.com, Healthedia.com and Blabaloo.com. For more information or to register an account, visit SeattleIAM.com.